[BMWBoss]

I'm thinking about just putting on H&R springs and keeping my stock shocks. How does the ride feel with this set up?

[snipersix]

I have that setup currently. The ride is pretty good, however you can really feel it when u hit a pot hole, but that is the price u pay for a lowered ride i guess..

[GregL]

Originally Posted by snipersix

I have that setup currently. The ride is pretty good, however you can really feel it when u hit a pot hole, but that is the price u pay for a lowered ride i guess..

What about rebound control? Does the car tend to wallow before settling when you drive over smooth bumps or dips in the road?

[AllydNYC]

I would like some insight on this too since I'm planning to do the exact same thing. I have a 328xi with OEM sport suspension, if I get the H&R springs would I have better handling? Sorry about the

[snipersix]

Originally Posted by GregL

What about rebound control? Does the car tend to wallow before settling when you drive over smooth bumps or dips in the road?

wat do u exactly mean by wallow before settling? Like bounce, after smooth bumps?

[snipersix]

Originally Posted by AllydNYC

I would like some insight on this too since I'm planning to do the exact same thing. I have a 328xi with OEM sport suspension, if I get the H&R springs would I have better handling? Sorry about the

it lowers the center of gravity, therefore u get better turning handling. And since you are on sport suspension, you are in a better situation than I am in. So, you will have no problem switching on H&R springs. I would get H&R sport though. It would provide u the perfect drop, and enough clearance to go through humps.

The only difference when you lower your car is that, when u hit pot holes, u really feel them. But, that is the price u pay for lowering ur suspension.

[camaross305]

after reading a ton on this same issue, your ride will slowly go to crap because the stock shocks arent made for the springs. Just do it right and match your shocks and springs.

[snipersix]

the other alternative is to get Koni yellows + H&R sport springs.

[PaulBailey@ltbmw]

Is there any Coilover vs springs thread?
I've been looking but can find one. . .
I want to see the benefit of getting the coilovers and paying $1,500+ when you can get springs for like $200+
I always thought that you really only needed coilovers for tracking your can so it was planted better at launch

[snipersix]

first and for most, coilovers is the best bang for the buck, if money isn't an issue. It gives you more flexibility, cause u can freely raise your cars height when needed. It gives u better handling and its stiffer than if you just got springs.

And yes coilovers are a must when u track. Which is y people prefer to get springs and shocks instead. Cause its really not worth the money if ur just using ur car for daily driving. But, yea it all depends wat u want.

[jimmy330xi]

Originally Posted by snipersix

the other alternative is to get Koni yellows + H&R sport springs.

Where can I find Koni yellows for an xi car? Do they even make them for xi?

[RedlineMotorworks]

Originally Posted by jimmy330xi

Where can I find Koni yellows for an xi car? Do they even make them for xi?

Unfortunately, Koni does not make shocks for Xi BMWs.

As for using aftermarket springs with stock shocks, it's been done before and it continues to be done. In my opinion, a spring like the H&R spring which lowers the Xi coupe 1.3" in the front and 1.2" in the rear is fine for the stock shocks. Unless you track your car or drive it like you stole it every day, there is no need to upgrade shocks.

With that said, I personally would not run a car with aftermarket springs without aftermarket shocks. That's my opinion though. I figure if I'm going to swap out suspension, I might as well replace everything. I have lots of customers just running aftermarket springs with no problems.

[SteelTorque]

Originally Posted by BMWBoss

I'm thinking about just putting on H&R springs and keeping my stock shocks. How does the ride feel with this set up?

I have this setup and I hate it. The ride is bouncy and at high speeds it becomes really bad.

I recomend against this combo.

I'm getting the KW V3's soon.

[MichTa73]

Originally Posted by BMWBoss

I'm thinking about just putting on H&R springs and keeping my stock shocks. How does the ride feel with this set up?

I have this combo too, and I find it bouncy at times and harsh on potholes. Lucky for me I don't drive that fast, and most of the roads I drive are in pretty good condition so the tradeoff for me was acceptable.

[AllydNYC]

Originally Posted by RedlineMotorworks

Unfortunately, Koni does not make shocks for Xi BMWs.

As for using aftermarket springs with stock shocks, it's been done before and it continues to be done. In my opinion, a spring like the H&R spring which lowers the Xi coupe 1.3" in the front and 1.2" in the rear is fine for the stock shocks. Unless you track your car or drive it like you stole it every day, there is no need to upgrade shocks.

With that said, I personally would not run a car with aftermarket springs without aftermarket shocks. That's my opinion though. I figure if I'm going to swap out suspension, I might as well replace everything. I have lots of customers just running aftermarket springs with no problems.

So after that I'm going to have to say no and save up for some shocks and springs set, as I drive the car like I stole it . Thought I don't mind pot holes as the run-flats can't take the potholes already. Thanks for your help everyone!

[ililillilillilil]

i had H&R Sport spings on stock shocks on my last car.
i thought i was getting a nice drop cheap, but after installation and alignments
i needed a camber kit. so the springs were $200, the install was $200 the 1st time and$150 to redo the rear. the rear camber kit was around $130, alignments were $70 each and a half hour ride for a Hunter with a lift. and i wanted it lower/ stiffer/ adjustable.
i was about to upgrade to coilovers before i upgraded to BMW.
just do it right the 1st time
im thinking of going for H&R coilovers

[pdjafari]

i have had this setup on my e92 xi for 6 mos+ and here are the positives/negatives

Positives
1. Turning is alot better, nowhere near as much body roll in turns (you can turn at a faster speed vs stock)
2. Car looks a hell of a lot better, no more 4x4

Negatives
1. Car is slightly bouncy, esp. at high speeds if you hit a dip


Now the obvious
1. Car is lower which means your more likely to scrape/bottom out etc
2. Car already felt like shiet when it hit potholes with the OEM suspension, but lowering the car on H&R's seems to make you 'feel' the potholes alot more

[Nikolas]

Simply lowering your car does not always give you better handling as stated above. Lowering the car too much can completely screw with the suspension geometry creating worse handling. Coilovers or springs and shocks that are designed to work together are your best bet. I would think lowering springs on stock shocks will more than likely decrease the handling capabilities of the car.

[pdjafari]

^^thats what you would expect, but its very obvious how much easier it is to turn at a high rate of speed w/ the lowering springs vs stock. The floaty feel is completely gone with the springs, but the bouciness increases

[UdubBadger]

Originally Posted by snipersix

I have that setup currently. The ride is pretty good, however you can really feel it when u hit a pot hole, but that is the price u pay for a lowered ride i guess..

god i know your pain... madison AND chicago are just constant "THUDS" that feel like I am hitting so hard I might see my transmission in my rearview sooner or later.

[uberschnell]

Urrgh, the misinfo out there

First, this stuff about how a lowered car improves handling is only part of the story. Simply lowering your car with springs will probably degrade your overall performance. See, the true handling characteristics of a car are not realized in simple street driving, how it handles pot-holes, etc. It's found on the track with the car pushed to the limits. Under-steer, over-steer, roll, recovery, transfer, brake bias, etc. is all a function of a tuned suspension. The 335 suspension is tuned for the 335, including run flats, driver profile, and target market (luxury vs. sport). Throwing a mismatched component into a tuned system and expecting an automatic improvement in handling is simply unrealistic.

This is why Coil Overs tend to work so well. They are a matched (read tuned) upgrade and when from a reputable source (like KW) the combo's are also matched to a car profile. The problem is that for you to get all you can out of them you have to be willing to fine tune them.

If spending the time fine-tuning a CO set up does not sound realistic to you (like 90% of the people here have them but don't) then you can also go with a matched spring/strut combo and save a few $$. Koni Yellows are great because they let you adjust dampening rate (like K2's). Only thing is you will not be able to adjust height or corner balance like with COs', but usually only the hardcore bother to do that anyway.

Also, do not underestimate how much a new set of sway bars can help improve handling on our overweight pigs.

I'd spend a little time and get in touch with some of the reputable vendors here mapping out different options, if you are interested in improving the handling of your car.

Otherwise just drop your car for looks, becasue that's basically all a new set of springs will do for you.

[Nikolas]

Magna3 is right on. While you may feel like the car is handling better, the reality is it is not. Lowering springs rarely if ever improve the cornering capablility of the car. The only benefit you have achieved with the lowering springs is a lowered appearance.